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Wednesday, October 29, 2014

Pattern Feature - Sparkles the Unicorn Cowl

My awesome crochet buddy Rachel over at Silly Stitches just released a magical cowl pattern. 

photo used with permission from Silly Stitches
 I had the honor of testing it for her. 
I'm on a yarn freeze so I had to get creative with what I had on hand. 
So my colors aren't as perfect but I still love the way it turned out! 







I love working with bulky yarn and large hooks. It's a very simple pattern to follow! 
I think it would make a perfect halloween costume if it's going to be cold where you are! 
It's cozy, warm and fun!
 If the girls in your life are as obsessed with anything pony like my 6 year old the possibilities for color combinations are endless! 


My little Calleigh is so petite that I should have made her the toddler size, but it fit my 6 year old boy perfectly!! The bow on mine is huge but we adjusted that down for the pattern, 
but I love that it's big and whimsical! She loved it and we had fun taking pics! 


Rachel is offering 25% off all her single patterns in
  Ravelry 
(e-books and sets not included) 

Use the code  - magic at checkout
Coupon good Wed Oct 29th- Sat Oct 31st (ends midnight central) 

Be sure to check out her other two latest patterns

OH and remember - Have a great day and be silly! 

modeled my me....lol! 



Wednesday, October 15, 2014

Whatever Wednesday - Lace Up With Liz Update

 This is more of a personal post but I like to share my health and fitness journey from time to time!
 If you want to read the full story of the past year you can visit this previous blog post

In September I reached a huge Goal of losing 62 pounds! I still have 10 to hit my personal goal and this past month I've kind of been at a stand still. I was training for a 1/2 marathon and I think after a 8 mile training run I got a stress fracture in my foot! Not much I could do but to stop and rest for a few weeks!

 I ran almost 80 miles in September and well I've only done 1.8 miles in October. Yikes! I feel so off! I'm not going to run the Route 66 1/2 in November because I just don't have a funds right now so I think I will go back and do my 10K training again just incase I need to build my base up more. I will run the OKC Memorial 1/2 marathon in April! I'm so excited about it and I think that race will mean so much more to me for so many reasons! 

I've been up and down a couple pounds the past 30 days but I'm kind surprised I haven't gained more! It's like when I hurt my foot I let it all go, eating good and other exercise included! I need a kick in the booty and to get myself back in gear. The kids are on Fall break so I'm going to enjoy some extra time with them and then I'm getting back to it next Tuesday! 

Anyhoo, Got a much needed hair cut and color yesterday so I thought it would be good to get some current before/after pics! What a difference a day makes. 


Friday, October 10, 2014

I Love Yarn Day

It's "I Love Yarn" Day! 


So I couldn't pass up the opportunity to have a sale!

 40% off all pattern in Ravelry today only. 
(Ends Midnight Central)


Don't have extra $$$. Me either LOL! So here is some links to some of my free favorites for fall! 





Enjoy! 

Thursday, October 9, 2014

Thursday Yarn Talk - Turtles, Owls and Skulls

It's busy season around here with Halloween and Christmas orders coming in! I love this time of year because I often get unique custom orders. I love making something new! 

While I've made literally 100s of Turtles, I got a request to make one in new colors! This little guy was designed to look like Squirt from Finding Nemo. 

I used my Original Hatching Turtle Cuddle Critter Cape pattern. The only difference is color choices and adding a few random size circles to the hat. 
I used Vanna's Choice Worsted in Mustard, Rust, Toffee and Dusty Green if you want to make one too. 



Owl Hats are still an old favorite! There is just something whimsical about those big eyes! 
This is one of my favorite color combos for a natural Snow Owl look! 
This pattern is from Inner Hooker.


This last hat wasn't an order I've just been dying to make it! So I whipped one up for my hubby. 


He didn't want a slouchy so I worked it up beanie style. I didn't change hook sizes as recommend and use a F-Hook for the entire hat. For the closing of the hat I just worked a few rows of sc around decreasing down and then cinched it shut. I used Vanna's Choice Worsted in pearl mist and black. 

The hat looked challenging but it's wasn't. The construction of the design is amazing and unique! It wasn't difficult at all. I really enjoyed making it! It's well worth the $1.00 for the pattern. 



Have you made any of these patterns? Which one do you want to make? Feel free to comment below!

I'm working on a fun new design that I hope to share next week! So be sure to check back! 



Thursday, October 2, 2014

Free Crochet Pattern : Fall Harvest Infinity Scarf




Fall time is here! I love this time of year. I had a whole bin full of tweed stripes yarn that I use for my mermaids. I kinda went crazy buying it last year so I thought it was time to use it for something new! I had you all pick from three color ways on Facebook and Instagram.  You mostly voted for the fall colors as opposed to the brighter colors! So I'll save those for another time! 


This yarn is one of my favorites! It's not worsted but it's not super bulky! The color ways are all gorgeous! I love the soft shades  of green, orange, yellows and browns.  I designed this scarf so that you could either make a scarf to tie any number of ways or you can join it at the end to make a cowl that can be wrapped a couple times! 
It's got a unique open design yet is nice and snuggly! Sorta reminds me a leaves blowing in the wind!  



Please this to your Raverly, Pin It for later or make one right now!! 

Fall Harvest Scarf or Infinity Cowl



*K-Hook (6.5mm)

*2 Skeins of Tweed Stripes in Rainforest (or color way of choice)

*Skill : Intermediate

*Stitches: 
YO - yarn over
ch - chain 
dc - double crochet

*Special stitches:
*2-dc Cluster (uses one ch), *YO, insert hook in ch indicated, YO and pull up a loop, YO and draw through 2 loops on hook; repeat from * once more, YO and draw through all 3 loops on hook.

*3-dc Cluster (uses one st), *YO, insert hook in st indicated, YO and pull up a loop, YO and draw through 2 loops on hook; repeat from * 2 times more, YO and draw through all 4 loops on hook.


See New Video Tutorial to help get you started below the pattern. 

Row 1 (Right side): Ch 22, work 3-dc Cluster in fifth ch from hook (4 skipped chs count as first dc and 1 skipped ch), ch 3, work 2-dc Cluster in third ch from hook, work 3-dc Cluster in same ch as last 3-dc Cluster made, ch 4, skip next 4 chs, dc in next ch, * ch 4, skip next 4 chs, work 3-dc Cluster in next ch, ch 3, work 2-dc Cluster in third ch from hook, work 3-dc Cluster in same ch as last 3-dc Cluster made, ch 4, skip next 4 chs, dc in next ch; repeat from * across to last 2 chs, ch 2, skip next ch, dc in last ch.

Row 2: Ch 3 (counts as first dc), turn; work
3-dc Cluster in next dc, ch 3, work 2-dc Cluster in
third ch from hook, work 3-dc Cluster in same dc as last 3-dc Cluster made, ch 4, skip next ch-4 sp, dc in next ch-3 sp, * ch 4, skip next ch-4 sp, work 3-dc Cluster in next dc, ch 3, work 2-dc Cluster in third ch from hook, work 3-dc Cluster in same dc as last 3-dc Cluster made, ch 4, skip next ch-4 sp, dc in next ch-3 sp; repeat from * across to last 3-dc Cluster, ch 2, skip last 3-dc Cluster, dc in last dc.

Rows 3 - 71: Repeat Row 2 

For Scarf -  Fasten off and weave in ends

Or 

For Cowl - Fasten off, leaving a long tail to sew ends together. 
Match Row 1 to Row 71 and whip stitch ends together or preferred method of joining. 



Video Tutorial for Rows 1 & 2 of the Fall Harvest Infinity Scarf! 
 


I hope you enjoy this pattern!! 






Out take! 
Who says crochet designing isn't dangerous! 
I was trying to get a selfie of myself wearing the scarf but this bee had other plans! 
I didn't even know I got this picture.
 I was moving away quickly when I heard the buzzing around my head. 
Do you see it? CRAZY! 
I'm fine but you'll notice I didn't get any pics of me this time.